World AIDS Day Still A Critical Reminder

LEXINGTON , Ky. - According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than half of young Americans between the ages of 13 and 24 with HIV don’t know they have it. That group accounts for just over a quarter of all new HIV infections every year.

Health officials say it’s those kinds of numbers that continue to make events such as World AIDS Day, coming up this Saturday, critical reminders of the challenges the disease still poses. Lauren Newsome is an HIV prevention specialist with the Lexington-Fayette County Health department.

"Even though we have wonderful medical advances, if people don't know they can't benefit from the great medications around HIV. In Kentucky, one person is diagnosed with HIV every single day," Newsome says.

The health department will offer free 20 minute HIV testing between 10 AM and 4 PM on Saturday at the downtown branch of the Lexington Public Library. The testes are anonymous and confidential. More information is on the Health Department’s Facebook page.